A Most Important Message as We Prepare for Christmas

I chased a bible-rabbit the other morning, and landed in 1 Thessalonians, chapter 4. As the chase wound down, I caught my breath, while contemplating verse 18 and the Apostle Paul's mandate:

"Therefore, encourage one another with these words."

Turns out, this was a valuable chase, considering this upcoming Holy-Day-season, and some important thoughts as we enter Advent.

"What is Paul talking about?" you might ask.

Glad you asked. Basically, it boils down to these four words:

JeSuS iS cOmInG aGaIn!

He is!

Tragically, that truth is often lost in the Christmas chaos.

Don't get me wrong - I'm so thankful for Christmas. 

I love celebrating the birth of my Savior.

His sacrifice in leaving heaven for earth, in order to rescue me from my lostness, is overwhelming.

There must be special moments set aside for reflecting on what that means for you and me.

No, I will never get over Jesus' birth.

Not even if I live a million years, which I hope I don't.

Yet, in real life...

In the middle of this moment's messy...

In the hardship of our trials and pain...

In this world filled with evil and catastrophe...

Focusing only on Jesus' birth does not always bring much needed solace.

So, Paul says, 

"Draw near to one another; console and comfort; admonish and appease; exhort and encourage with whispers ever so soothing: Jesus is not staying gone. He will, physically, come again. When He comes, He will fix the messy, heal the hurt, obliterate evil, and save us from ourselves." 

There is to be another Advent; and this Advent's planning was in the making from the moment God-the-Father prepared Jesus for His earthly birth.

Christmas should be both a looking back and a looking forward.

As we celebrate Advent (The Coming #1), we should be celebrating Advent (The Coming #2)...

...because we all need hope!

There is no greater hope than this: Jesus is coming again!

Sadly, I've been guilty of marking, and commemorating, only half of that equation.

It's time for change in our house.

So...

This year, I will purposely, and with as much intent, as possible:

Celebrate 

throughout this season,

not just that Jesus came born to die;

but that He's coming again 

to LIVE, and REIGN, with us on high!

Advent is near.

An Appropriate Thanksgiving Offering

Ten were healed.

All lepers.

Their skin ulcerated...issuing a foul discharge.

Eyebrows probably gone.

Vocal chords thinning, leaving a raspy/hoarse voice.

Nerve endings numb (which in many cases left them with missing fingers or toes)...

Eyes glazed over & staring.

Muscles wasting away.

Progressively dying.

Shunned by society.

That's how William Barclay describes the hideous disease in his Study Bible...

The ten had come seeking Jesus, and found Him along the road, traveling somewhere between Samaria and Galilee.

They kept their distance, as was the Law.

But, despite the difficulty in talking, they cried out for compassion...mercy...help...an answer to their most difficult prayer (ten voices are more easily heard than one)...

They'd heard the stories of Jesus healing other lepers, I'm sure...

I don't know if they expected the response from Jesus that they received, but they listened (in the sense of they did what He said):

"Go and show yourselves to the priests (Luke 17:14a)."

The outcome was what they'd hoped for, however:

"And as they went they were cleansed (Luke 17:14b)."

Ten were healed.

Ten received answered prayer.

"One returned to Jesus when he saw that he was healed (Luke 17:15)."

Just one.

With restored voice from healed vocal chords, he cried out with an exceeding large and loud voice, praising God, glorifying the Lord, extolling His name.

He recognized there was a GREAT WHO behind the answered prayer.

"He fell on his face at Jesus feet (Luke 17:16)." 

There is only one response to a GREAT WHO.. 

Humility.

There is only one thought towards that GREAT WHO...

I owe you a debt I cannot pay.

The beginnings of paying that debt start this way...

"He gave Jesus his thanks (Luke 17:16)."

There's so much more to this story...so much more; this is enough.

But I wonder...

Is the ratio the same today? Do only one out of ten of us recognize our Heavenly Savior's hand of blessing? Do only 10% humble ourselves before Him, leaving 90%, who are so excited about the answer to prayer, that we disregard THE GREAT I AM without a word, or any kind of a sacrifice of thanksgiving?

Am I the 10% or the 90%?

We've set aside a day here in America to do just this...give thanks out of a grateful heart.

May our words of thanksgiving be many...

Our  hearts be humble...

and our recognition of God's gifts of blessing loudly proclaimed!

Why Worship...Why Praise (with a few snapshots from PNG)

When? How? Who? Where? 

Psalm 150 is practically a complete handbook on worship.

When? Anytime!

How? With whatever instrument of praise is handy!

Who?  Everyone!

Where? Anywhere! From God's sanctuary on earth to His firmament above...from the mountains to the valleys...and to the uttermost parts of the sea...(even as uttermost as Papua New Guinea)!

On Thursday, October 26th, I boarded an American Airlines flight in Durango, Colorado and 38 hours later, landed in Madang, Papua New Guinea.

It was a ministry of a lifetime...

...and there is not quite enough breath in me to adequately praise the Lord...

...I returned home humbled that I got to play a small part in bringing a little of the "joy of the Lord" to a group of missionary women in one of the remotest outposts on this planet. Joy that spreads to strength to keep-on-keeping-on (for it is TRUE: the JOY of the LORD is our STRENGTH!)

Women committed to bringing the gospel (through translation) and literacy to a significant number of tribes that still do not have their language written down.

 

These women (and their spouses) have been hand-picked by the Lord for this ministry. Note: we aren't all called to do the same work.

Yet, a truth from Scripture began to resonate in me during the 12 days I was in Madang. I can't say I've really cemented it firmly in my brain, but allow me the opportunity to try and explain.

If you read last week's blog, you know I've been contemplating the Hebrew word "halal," which is translated "praise" in Psalm 150 (and several others, as well). The word took me back to a picture of King David, as he returned the Ark of Covenant back to Israel. His praise was a wild abandon to the Lord. His wife's response to his actions was less than cordial, however.

I made mention of the fact that while I want to think I'm a David when it comes to praise, often I fear I'm more like Michal - reserved, perhaps fearful, even...

Yet...with Advent coming, I, also, mentioned, that I want to explore new ways that the Lord of All Creation could be "reborn" into the middle of my heart this season...

I read and re-read David's response to his wife, Michal - here's a portion of his words:

David goes on to explain why he will celebrate with HALAL:

It was before the Lord who chose me...and appointed me...and, I will celebrate before Him...I would make myself even more undignified than this and humble myself...

There it is.

Our reason to celebrate.

Our purpose in praise.

Our starting place, as we move toward Advent, for allowing the Christ-child to be re-born into our midst ONE MORE YEAR...

We are all chosen.

\ 

We are all appointed...

...just in different ways...

The missionaries around the world have been called and appointed to their areas of service. They serve in multiple capacities from support staff to piloting to translation.

The past two weeks, I was appointed to get to speak to a handful of gals who serve in Papua New Guinea...then, from there, flew to Shipshewana, IN (Amish country) where Bay and I were chosen to speak at a marriage conference, as well as at a Missionary Church.

But, you have been CHOSEN, too...

You have been called by the Lord of the Universe, who has appointed you to be an "instrument of [his] to carry his name to the world around you that the gospel of Jesus Christ can go forth" (see Acts 9:15)"  

You have been chosen to be a vessel, an instrument of honor...

...fit for the Master's good use!

WHAT A GREAT REASON TO HALAL BEFORE THE LORD!

What Worship Could Look Like

Note: This was supposed to be last week's blog entry, but because I couldn't get connected to internet in Papua New Guinea, it sat in my inbox, and I could never update the blog. So, this is a follow-up to the post two weeks ago... And, can I say...it's nice to be back on US soil! Next week's blog was written in PNG...so come back!
😏

XXXX

After many months of studying and praying through the Psalms, I have come to the end of the book.

Recently, I told my husband that every time I must begin afresh in a new area of study, I feel like I'm saying good-bye to a best friend; and, I don't really want to make new friends with anyone else.

Maybe that speaks to the number of times I've moved and travelled, made new friends, and then had to say good-bye. Perhaps I need a counselor...

...but, I've digressed.

As I focused on the final chapters in this book that warms my soul, and speaks to the humanity of man at all levels, I noticed that the word "praise" is repetitive. You can't help but notice it.

 In practically every passage, the Hebrew word used is "halal"... I love its meaning:

To be clear of sound, or color, to shine; hence, to make a show, to boast, to thus be clamorously foolish

To rave; causatively to celebrate

To boast, commend, give glory, sing

(Poel): to make a fool of oneself

(Hithpoel): to act madly, or act like a madman

Of course, my mind traveled to a faraway spot, way back-in-time, to a place somewhere in the midst of Jerusalem, as King David helps escort the Presence of God (AKA: the Ark of the Covenant) back into the city after a very long absence. He's stripped to his underwear, dancing, celebrating, blessing and praising the Lord of Hosts. He blesses the people, gives some pretty costly gifts, sacrifices burnt offerings in the temple...there is nothing to compare to it in all of Scripture. The closest we see is the celebration following the crossing of the Red Sea.

Then there's Michal. The King's wife. Saul's daughter.

Watching.

The look on her face reveals what's in her heart:  contempt.

Her husband is vile and worthless in her sight.

My heart wrestles as I read the account tin 2 Samuel 6.

I want to be David.

Wildly abandoned to the praise of all God has done in my life.

Celebrating the moments of His Presence.

But I fear, I'm a bit more Michal, than David.

The words David spoke to her, resonate with me.

I rejoice before the Lord, who chose me...who appointed me...and I will celebrate before Him.

Indeed, I will make myself more contemptible than this...

The result: "and, the Lord God gave David rest from his enemies..."

What happened to Michal?  "...and Michal was barren..."

I desire David's freedom, his rest...

and, as we approach the beginning of Advent, in a little over a month, I want to see some new ways that Christ can be born into the midst of my life.

May I be known as a woman of praise and celebration of my Lord.

May I learn how to "halal..." in a way that is appropriate to each instance of God's interaction into my life...and, in a way that celebrates His arrival.

After such incredible ministry opportunities in PNG, I feel like "halal" is the only appropriate word to use as I sit with the Lord this morning....and I pick up an instrument of praise (right now, that would be my pen) to celebrate and bring Him glory for all His mighty works!

I desire to bring the Lord a true heart of worship...

What Do I Worship? It's An Important Question to Answer...

I was asked the other day (following a discussion on the reliability of Scripture, the need for knowing, searching, hiding, and living the Word-of-the-Lord), this question:

Do you worship the Bible, or do you worship the God of the Bible?

Perhaps, because I daily see my need for the Truth in such great measure, am passionate to know it, hunger for it, I may come across as if I have enthroned the Word in my heart, instead of the Author who breathed it into existence. The asker of the question wasn't being rude, and I didn't take it that way, it was more of a tease...BUT,

The question certainly caused me pause; and, it's always good to take an audit of one's soul.

My answer:

Without the God of the Bible there is no Bible. He is who I worship, because I see Him on every page...

Good answer, I thought.

Yet as I thought it, I heard a question mark at the end of my sentence.

Is that true?

Each Word of our Bibles is God-breathed.

Useful:

For teaching.

For reproof

For correcting.

For training in Righteousness.

Every word we read is the Artists paint brush across a canvas - each stroke uncovering for us the story of God...the Elohim...our 3-D-God: the Father, the Son, the Spirit.

My response is a good hermeneutical response.

Yet, truth is that most times I think I approach my quiet time, my daily readings, my Bible Study and research, as a way to find out more about me, than about Him.

I look for next steps.

I look for what I think the Lord wants me to know about Life-Topics, so I live life well.

I read for wisdom's sake, not necessarily for God's sake...

...and, while 2 Timothy 3:16 and Joshua 1:8 are outcomes of our study, the initial in-come of the Word should be seeking the Face of God.

When I see Him unveiled, I see my next steps, how to live life well, what is wise...because He is the one I imitate my life after.

The question was a good one, albeit a bit semantical; yet, a reminder to first look for the
I AM...before I look for "i-am-stuff"... then there is no question as to which one is on the throne of my heart.

So, for whatever it's worth, it's worth perusing the question...and evaluating:

What or who do you seek as you approach Scripture?

Lost in the Middle...and a Way Out.

In one week I leave for Papua New Guinea, where I'll be speaking at two back-to-back retreats for Thrive, an organization whose goal is to spoil missionary women.  This will be my sixth retreat. I love volunteering, mostly because there is much I relate to having lived and served overseas. It is a JOY for me to get to go (even though I do not like travel....at all!).

Before any event, I mull over, and over, and over, the talks I will be giving.

I teach them to myself...on walks...in bed in the middle of the night...while I'm driving into town...(I think you get the picture).

I live with each session I'm going to bring to these ladies.

I look constantly for edits...for better illustrations...for additional passages of Scripture...

The theme for these upcoming retreats is Lost in the Middle of Mission.

The idea behind it is that there are times in the midst of our calling, when we can feel "stuck"...and, yes, sometimes lost.  Truth is we never run out of need for God's Grace.  His salvation isn't just a one time, past tense, thing; but, a very present and personal need.

Sometimes, when I feel lost...I tend to just work harder. I doubt I'm alone in that.

The problem with this is that in correlation to how hard I'm working, the deeper I dig the hole in which I'm stuck.

This isn't just true for missionary women.

It's true for all of us.

We can often find ourselves "lost" in the middle of a plethora of life-situations.

David wrote a Psalm (143), when I think he was in a place of lost.

He uses the language of lost throughout the whole Psalm:

The enemy has pursued my soul;

he has crushed my life to the ground.

He has made me sit in darkness...

...my spirit faints within me;

my heart within me is appalled.

...my soul thirsts...

...my spirit fails...

Once again, I love David's honesty.
I love his willingness to be vulnerable; to own his pain.
The whole Psalm is David's way of facing his fear, of working "smarter, not harder."

David's bottom line prayer is this:

Destroy my soul's adversaries, O God!

Obliterate those things which are hindering and getting in the way of my relationship with You, God...please, hear my prayer!

It is a healthy prayer! One we can sit up and take notice of during times of lost...

Why does David want this so badly?  There's one reason:

When we are saved from those things that keep our soul's in a place of stuck, we are able to press on as the Lord's servant!

God doesn't need us, but He has chosen to serve this world through us, using us as His hands and feet...

There are a myriad of ways the adversary comes against us:
An overloaded to-do-list
Demanding, needy people
Finances
Divisiveness
Spiritual dryness
Health issues
Weather-related problems (praying still for those affected by the recent hurricanes and fires)
Family problems

These just tip the iceberg.

However, David turns a corner in verse 5 of Psalm 143.

As David prays and pours out his heart like water before the presence of the Lord, he:
1) ...Remembers God's faithfulness, His mighty works, and David meditates on them.  When we have a history with God, we walk boldly into the future minus fear.

2) ..."Spreads out his hands."  This terminology, combined with "thirsting for God as a parched land" is a picture of brokenness, surrender (returning to a place of trust), of letting go and receiving.  Hasn't God promised, that He who hungers and thirsts receives...YES! And, I've always found Him faithful.

3)  ...Starts listening for God's direction for next steps.

Sometimes stopping to remember, surrender, & listen is the key we need to finding our way out of being lost in the middle of....whatever!

Working smarter (rather than harder) involves STOPPING to regain perspective. 

When we do...we can continue to do what God has called all of us to do.....................SERVE.

But remember this, as well:

Another reason for STOPPING. Maybe God just wants time with us!

Pay Attention...Pay Very Close Attention

For the past couple of years, these two words have popped up regularly in books, in messages, in blogs, in the Word of God, and, in thought:

Pay attention...

So I am.

I'm paying more attention to God-sightings.

I'm looking for Him in the little and big ways that He reveals His glory in creation around me, in the answers to prayer, in the whispers to my heart directly from His Word to my heart.

He IS present.

Sometimes I'm surprised at where He shows up (for example, I remember being a wee bit shocked at how a rock quarry in the middle of Africa could become such a sacred and holy place...but He was there and I was left in AWE and WONDER...and, isn't this the whole point)!

I shouldn't be taken aback.

He IS omnipresent, after all.

(And...)

Where He is, we will always see the mystery and majesty of God's Great Glory...

Those moments are easy to document.

I can take pictures.

I can wrap some words around what I've experienced.

I can list the way He's moved, responded, answered, delivered.

These things are faith-builders, for sure.

More recently, I've been challenged to not just look outward, but inward.

How is God showing Himself to me in the middle of my messy heart?

Where is He at work in me?

It's as if, now that I've had a little practice at the outward AWE, I'm now being asked to take another step deeper into God's Presence within another realm.

This is a little more challenging.

I can't take pictures (Whew! because if I could, well it gets pretty ugly in there...).

And, while I can wrap some words around what I'm seeing, I don't necessarily want to share them.

Here is how I've been challenged:

"Pay attention to those things that annoy, irritate, and disappoint.  Those things have power to reveal truth about ourselves almost as much as anything. Learn to linger with what provokes... You may just find the Spirit of God moving there..."

See what I mean?

So, I'm sitting with this thought.

It's taken me quite a lengthy season to learn to look outward.

I can only imagine how long of a season it will take to learn this lesson well...yet, as I read the passage below, I think I'm prepared to begin to accept the challenge.